French optician eyes UK expansion

French optician and audiologist Optical Center has secured its first 10 stores in the UK. The chain, advised by Newmark Retail UK & EMEA, has secured stores at 42 Braccan Walk in Bracknell, Tottenham Court Road, Greenwich, Colliers Wood, High Wycombe, Milton Keynes, Borehamwood, Staines, Harlow and Richmond. Each store is around 2,000 sq ft. Founded in Paris in 1991 by Laurent Lévy, Optical Center is a leading optician and audiologist in France. Its entry into the UK market marks the first stage of the Optical Center’s growth into English-speaking countries as the brand continues its international expansion. It has more than 5,500 employees in 800 stores across eight countries, including Canada, Spain, Luxemburg, Switzerland and Belgium. Angus Harper, associate director at Newmark, said: “The Optical Center differentiates itself by offering top-of-the-range optical and hearing care equipment in each of its stores as well as selling a wide range of glasses, sunglasses and contact lenses both from premium household brands such as Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and Persol and brands exclusively stocked by Optical Center like Lukkas, Filium, Level and Oscar Version.” Julie Bernier, general manager at Optical Center, said the group was eyeing further growth in London as the “perfect city” for the next stage of its growth and that it was “excited about what the future holds for our presence in the UK”. Photo by Mari Helin/Unsplash